I've been doing a lot of self work and have made a lot of progress.  I never realized something as simple as being your own best friend could be so empowering.  For a while, I was stagnant and that disturbed me.  So I decided to do some self help research and found a lot of good links.  Currently reading a book about codependency and it has helped so much!  Progress sometimes is quite fast, other times it's slower than I'd like.  I still struggle with issues, but it's getting better.  I consider the self work I'm doing to be my life's greatest work.  Improving me has become my alchemical magnum opus.  Fear is my crucible, and I'm beginning to see greatness.  I now better understand power and self mastery.  Something so simple and accessible and I overlooked it for so many years.  But I guess better late than never.  I'm getting closer to becoming the person I've always wanted to be.  And the more I work, the easier it becomes to wield power.  I'm learning to become my own sanctuary and source of peace.  I'm learning how to inspire myself instead of looking to outside sources to inspire me.  I'm learning that I can't be broken unless I allow it.  To be sure, it's definitely not easy work, and sometimes I find myself starting to feel worn out and I start thinking about quitting.  But somehow I manage to find more will to continue.  The glimpses I have of my own inner strength brings fear out of me, but I push beyond it anyway.  Fear just means I'm on the right path.